U.S. patent application number 14/186466 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-23 for electronic device.
The applicant listed for this patent is FUJITSU LIMITED. Invention is credited to Tomoya Mitsugi, Takahiro Nakamura, Tomoyoshi Tadokoro.
Application Number | 20140313650 14/186466 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51728821 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140313650 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakamura; Takahiro ; et
al. |
October 23, 2014 |
ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
An electronic device includes an upper housing that has a
display unit on an upper surface; a lower housing that supports the
upper housing so as to enable sliding; a movable plate unit that is
disposed on an upper surface of the lower housing to enabling
sliding; and a movement mechanism that causes the movable plate
unit to slide in a direction opposite to that of the upper housing,
coinciding with a sliding of the upper housing with respect to the
lower housing. The movement mechanism causes, during transition
into a closed state, the movable plate unit to move beneath the
upper housing such that an upper surface of the movable plate unit
is hidden and causes, during transition into an open state, the
movable plate unit to move in the direction opposite to that of the
upper housing, exposing the upper surface of the movable plate
unit.
Inventors: |
Nakamura; Takahiro;
(Kawasaki, JP) ; Tadokoro; Tomoyoshi; (Kawasaki,
JP) ; Mitsugi; Tomoya; (Asaka, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FUJITSU LIMITED |
Kawasaki-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
51728821 |
Appl. No.: |
14/186466 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1624 20130101;
H04M 1/0237 20130101; H04M 1/0247 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.01 |
International
Class: |
H05K 5/02 20060101
H05K005/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 19, 2013 |
JP |
2013-088686 |
Claims
1. An electronic device comprising: an upper housing that has a
display unit on an upper surface; a lower housing that supports the
upper housing so as to enable sliding; a movable plate unit that is
disposed on an upper surface of the lower housing so as to enable
sliding; and a movement mechanism that causes the movable plate
unit to slide in a direction opposite to a direction in which the
upper housing slides, coinciding with a sliding of the upper
housing with respect to the lower housing, wherein the movement
mechanism causes, during transition into a closed state where the
upper housing overlaps the lower housing, the movable plate unit to
move beneath the upper housing such that an upper surface of the
movable plate unit is hidden and causes, during transition into an
open state where the lower and the upper housings are staggered
with respect to one another, the movable plate unit to move in the
direction opposite to the direction of the upper housing such that
the upper surface of the movable plate unit is exposed.
2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the movable
plate unit includes a second display unit in the upper surface, and
moves such that, when the lower and the upper housings are
maximally staggered with respect to one another, a portion of the
second display unit is exposed, the portion being a portion that is
positioned at a portion of the lower housing overlapped by the
upper housing in the closed state.
3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein an area of a
portion in the upper surface of the movable plate unit exposed when
the lower and the upper housings are maximally staggered with
respect to one another, is at least equal to an area of the display
unit of the upper housing.
4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the movement
mechanism is supported by the lower housing at a central portion to
be freely rotatable and includes an arm having one end coupled to
the upper housing and another end coupled to the movable plate
unit, and the arm rotates accompanying the sliding of the upper
housing and causes the movable plate unit to move in the direction
opposite to the direction in which the upper housing slides.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-088686,
filed on Apr. 19, 2013, the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The embodiment discussed herein is related to an electronic
device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A conventional mobile information terminal apparatus has a
display unit in respective housings that are foldably coupled to
one another and that when unfolded, provide a screen of a large
display size (see, e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.
2003-298700). Further, in the housing of a main display unit of a
mobile telephone, two sub-display units are accommodated that are
adapted to be pulled out from the housing (see, e.g., Japanese
Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-124025). Another conventional
mobile communication terminal has a display unit in respective
housings that are vertically stacked on one another and that when
unfolded, causes the display units to be flatly arranged side by
side (see, e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.
2009-71588). Still further, a displaying apparatus has two display
units coupled to one another to enable one display unit to be
stacked on the display surface of the other display unit and to
move around the other display unit to remain on the back thereof
(see, e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.
2009-109943).
[0004] In addition to the foldable electronic devices, sliding-type
electronic devices are also present. A sliding-type electronic
device transitions between a closed state and an open state
consequent to an upper housing thereof sliding on the lower housing
thereof. In the closed state, the upper housing overlaps the lower
housing and therefore, the upper surface of the lower housing is
hidden beneath the upper housing. In the open state, the lower
housing and the upper housing are shifted with respect to one
another, whereby the upper surface of the lower housing is
exposed.
[0005] Nonetheless, with a conventional sliding-type electronic
device, the upper housing overlaps a portion of the lower housing
in the open state and therefore, the area of the exposed portion of
the upper surface of the lower housing is smaller than the area of
the upper surface of the upper housing. Therefore, a problem arises
in that display units of, for example, the same size cannot be
disposed in the exposed portion of the upper surface of the lower
housing and the upper surface of the upper housing.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to an aspect of an embodiment, an electronic
device includes an upper housing that has a display unit on an
upper surface; a lower housing that supports the upper housing so
as to enable sliding; a movable plate unit that is disposed on an
upper surface of the lower housing so as to enable sliding; and a
movement mechanism that causes the movable plate unit to slide in a
direction opposite to a direction in which the upper housing
slides, coinciding with a sliding of the upper housing with respect
to the lower housing. The movement mechanism causes, during
transition into a closed state where the upper housing overlaps the
lower housing, the movable plate unit to move beneath the upper
housing such that an upper surface of the movable plate unit is
hidden and causes, during transition into an open state where the
lower and the upper housings are staggered with respect to one
another, the movable plate unit to move in the direction opposite
to the direction of the upper housing such that the upper surface
of the movable plate unit is exposed.
[0007] The object and advantages of the invention will be realized
and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly
pointed out in the claims.
[0008] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first example of an electronic
device in a closed state, according to an embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the first example of the electronic
device in the closed state, according to the embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the electronic device in an open
state;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of the electronic device in the open
state;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a plan view the open state of an electronic device
whose upper surface portion of a lower housing does not slide;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a side view of the open state of the electronic
device whose upper surface portion of the lower housing does not
slide;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a second example of the electronic
device in a closed state, according to the embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a front cross-sectional view taken along a line
A-A' indicated in FIG. 7;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view taken along a line
B-B' indicated in FIG. 7;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the second example of the
electronic device in the open state, according to the
embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view taken along a line
C-C' indicated in FIG. 10;
[0020] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the second
example of the electronic device according to the embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a diagram of dimensional relations in the second
example of the electronic device according to the embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a perspective view seen from the rear, in the
closed state of the second example of the electronic device
according to the embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a perspective view seen from the rear, in an
intermediate state between the opened and the closed states of the
second example of the electronic device according to the
embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a perspective view seen from the rear, in the
open state of the second example of the electronic device according
to the embodiment, and
[0025] FIGS. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 are perspective views of a
state where the second example of the electronic device according
to the embodiment is in a course of fabrication.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0026] An embodiment of an electronic device will be described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the examples
below, identical components are given the same reference numeral
and redundant descriptions are omitted.
[0027] FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively are a plan view and a side view
of a first example of an electronic device in a closed state,
according to the embodiment. FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively are a plan
view and a side view of the electronic device in an open state.
[0028] As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic device 1
includes an upper housing 2, a display unit 3, a lower housing 4,
and a movable plate unit 5. The display unit 3 is disposed in an
upper surface of the upper housing 2. The lower housing 4 supports
the upper housing 2 such that the upper housing 2 is able to slide.
As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper housing 2 is adapted to be
able to slide with respect to the lower housing 4. The movable
plate unit 5 is disposed on the upper surface of the lower housing
4, enabling sliding of the movable plate unit 5.
[0029] As depicted in FIG. 2, when the electronic device 1 is in
the closed state, the upper housing 2 is above the lower housing 4,
substantially overlapping the lower housing 4 by sliding with
respect to the lower housing 4. Consequently, the movable plate
unit 5 is positioned beneath the upper housing 2 and the upper
surface of the movable plate unit 5 is hidden beneath the upper
housing 2. The display unit 3 in the upper surface of the upper
housing 2 is exposed.
[0030] As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the electronic device 1
is in the open state, the lower and the upper housings 4 and 2 are
staggered with respect to one another by the upper housing 2
sliding with respect to the lower housing 4 and. Consequently, the
display unit 3 in the upper surface of the upper housing 2 and the
upper surface of the movable plate unit 5 of the lower housing 4
are exposed. The electronic device 1 has a movement mechanism (not
depicted). In the open state, the movement mechanism causes the
movable plate unit 5 to move in a direction opposite to the
direction of the movement of the upper housing 2. Thereby, for
example, the entire upper surface of the movable plate unit 5 may
be exposed.
[0031] The movement mechanism may be implemented by, for example, a
link mechanism, a gear mechanism, or a combination thereof. The
upper surface of the movable plate unit 5 may be, for example, a
display unit, or a keyboard or a touch panel that are used to input
characters and symbols into the electronic device 1. If the upper
surface of the movable plate unit 5 is a display unit, the display
unit 3 in the upper surface of the upper housing 2 and the display
unit in the upper surface of the movable plate unit 5 of the lower
housing 4 each display an image in the open state; and in the
closed state, the display unit 3 in the upper surface of the upper
housing 2 displays an image.
[0032] FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively are a plan view and a side view
of an open state of an electronic device whose upper surface
portion of a lower housing does not slide. As depicted in FIGS. 5
and 6, the electronic device 101 includes an upper housing 102 that
can be slid with respect to a lower housing 104. However, the upper
surface portion of the lower housing 104 does not slide during a
transition between the closed state and the open state of the
electronic device 101.
[0033] Because the upper surface portion of the lower housing 104
does not slide, the area of the exposed portion of the upper
surface of the lower housing 104 in the open state is smaller than
the area of the upper surface of the upper housing 102 by an area
corresponding to that of the overlapping portion of the lower and
the upper housings 104 and 102. Therefore, when first and second
display units 103 and 105 whose sizes are as large as possible are
disposed respectively in the upper surfaces of the upper and the
lower housings 102 and 104, the size of the second display unit 105
is smaller than that of the first display unit 103.
[0034] According to the electronic device 1 depicted in FIGS. 1 to
4, when the electronic device 1 is opened, the movable plate unit 5
moves in the direction opposite to the direction of the movement of
the upper housing 2 and thereby, in the open state, a portion of
the movable plate unit 5 is exposed, the portion being the portion
that is positioned at the portion of the lower housing 4 overlapped
by the upper housing 2 in the closed state. Thereby, the exposed
area of the upper surface of the movable plate unit 5 can be
increased in the open state compared to the electronic device 101
whose upper surface portion of the lower housing does not slide, as
depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. The increase of the exposed area of the
upper surface of the movable plate unit 5 in the open state of the
electronic device 1 enables an increase of the exposed area of the
upper surface of the lower housing 4.
[0035] For example, if the upper surface of the movable plate unit
5 is a display unit, the increase of the exposed area of the upper
surface of the movable plate unit 5 in the open state enables a
display unit of a size that is, for example, the same as that of
the display unit 3 in the upper housing 2, to be disposed in the
movable plate unit 5. Furthermore, if the upper surface of the
movable plate unit 5 is a keyboard or a touch panel, the surface of
the keyboard or the touch panel to be touched by fingers can be
widened and therefore, the operability is improved for the input of
characters and symbols.
[0036] The electronic device 1 may be a mobile communication
terminal such as, for example, a mobile telephone or a smartphone,
may be a mobile music player or a mobile game machine, or may be a
measuring instrument or an analyzer that measures an item
concerning the environment such as radiation or a contaminant. The
electronic device 1 is not limited to a mobile apparatus. A case
will be described where the movement mechanism is implemented by a
link mechanism and a display module is disposed in the movable
plate unit 5. The display module of the movable plate unit 5 is an
example of the second display unit.
[0037] FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 respectively are a plan view of a second
example of the electronic device in the closed state, according to
the embodiment; a front cross-sectional view taken along a line
A-A' indicated in FIG. 7, and a side cross-sectional view taken
along a line B-B' indicated in FIG. 7. FIGS. 10 and 11 respectively
are a plan view of the second example of the electronic device in
the open state, according to the embodiment; and a side
cross-sectional view taken along a line C-C' indicated in FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the second example of
the electronic device according to the embodiment. In each of the
cross-sectional views, hatching is omitted with respect to the
display module.
[0038] As depicted in FIGS. 7 to 12, the electronic device 1
includes a first display module 13 in the upper surface of the
upper housing 2. The first display module 13 is an example of the
display unit 3 of the upper housing 2. The first display module 13
may include a touch panel in an upper surface. A frame portion of
the upper housing 2 may be formed by, for example, a resin such as
an engineered plastic; a metal such as aluminum; or an alloy
including a metal such as aluminum.
[0039] A second display module 15 is disposed in the upper surface
of the movable plate unit 5, is an example of the second display
unit, and may include a touch panel in an upper surface. A frame
portion of the movable plate unit 5 may be formed by, for example,
a resin such as an engineered plastic; a metal such as aluminum; or
an alloy including a metal such as aluminum.
[0040] The lower housing 4 accommodates, for example, a circuit
board 16 and electronic parts not depicted, and may accommodate,
for example, a battery. In FIG. 12, the circuit board 16 is not
depicted. The lower housing 4 may be formed by, for example, a
resin such as an engineered plastic; a metal such as aluminum; or
an alloy including a metal such as aluminum.
[0041] Rails 21 and 22 extending in the direction for the upper
housing 2 to slide are attached to the lower face of the upper
housing 2 at ends thereof along a length perpendicular to the
direction in which the upper housing 2 slides. On the other hand,
rail receiving units 23 and 24 are attached to the upper surface of
the lower housing 4 at the ends thereof along a length
perpendicular to the direction in which the upper housing 2 slides.
The rails 21 and 22 are respectively supported by the rail
receiving units 23 and 24 to be freely slidable and thereby, the
upper housing 2 is supported by the lower housing 4 so as to enable
sliding.
[0042] As depicted in FIG. 10, the rail receiving units 23 and 24
may be disposed at positions at which the upper and the lower
housings 2 and 4 overlap one another in the open state of the
electronic device 1. Disposal of the rail receiving units 23 and 24
accordingly, the rail receiving units 23 and 24 are hidden by the
upper housing 2 in the open state of the electronic device 1 and
therefore, the electronic device 1 is favorable in design. The
rails 21 and 22, and the rail receiving units 23 and 24 may each be
formed by a metal such as a stainless steel.
[0043] Rails 25 and 26 are attached to the lower face of the
movable plate unit 5 and extend along a length thereof, parallel to
the direction in which the movable plate unit 5 slides. Rail
receiving units 27 and 28 are attached to the upper surface of the
lower housing 4. The rails 25 and 26 are respectively supported by
the rail receiving units 27 and 28 to be freely slidable and
thereby, the movable plate unit 5 is supported by the lower housing
4 so as to enable sliding.
[0044] As depicted in FIG. 10, the rail receiving units 27 and 28
may be disposed at positions at which the movable plate unit 5 and
the lower housing 4 overlap on another in the open state of the
electronic device 1. Disposal of the rail receiving units 27 and 28
accordingly, the rail receiving units 27 and 28 are hidden by the
movable plate unit 5 in the open state of the electronic device 1
and therefore, the electronic device 1 is favorable in design. The
rails 25 and 26, and the rail receiving units 27 and 28 may each be
formed by a metal such as a stainless steel.
[0045] The first display module 13 may include a display face of a
size that is as large as possible and positioned to avoid the
portion to which the rails 21 and 22 of the upper housing 2 are
attached. In the open state of the electronic device 1, the area of
the exposed portion of the upper surface of the movable plate unit
5 may be equal to or larger than the area of the display face of
the first display module 13. A setting of the area accordingly, the
second display module 15 that includes a display surface of a size
that is the same as that of the first display module 13 can be
disposed in the upper surface of the movable plate unit 5, in the
portion thereof that is exposed when the electronic device 1 is in
the open state.
[0046] The second display module 15 may have a display surface of a
size that can occupy substantially the entire upper surface portion
of the movable plate unit 5, exposed when the electronic device 1
is in the open state. The display faces of the first and the second
display modules 13 and 15 may have equivalent lengths perpendicular
to the direction in which the movable plate unit 5 slides. The
areas of the display faces of the first and the second display
modules 13 and 15 may be equivalent.
[0047] As depicted in FIG. 11, in the open state of the electronic
device 1, of a frame portion around the second display module 15 of
the movable plate unit 5, a portion on the side of the upper
housing 2 may overlap a portion on the side of the movable plate
unit 5 of a frame portion around the first display module 13 of the
upper housing 2. By such configuration, the width is reduced to a
half thereof of the frame portion between the first and the second
display modules 13 and 15 in the open state of the electronic
device 1. Thereby, when an image is displayed using the first and
the second display modules 13 and 15 as one display surface, the
width is reduced of the portion not displaying the image between
the display faces of the first and the second display modules 13
and 15 and thereby, consolidated display is enabled.
[0048] The electronic device 1 includes the movement mechanism that
causes the movable plate unit 5 to slide in the direction opposite
to the direction in which the upper housing 2 moves, coinciding
with the sliding movement of the upper housing 2 with respect to
the lower housing 4. The movement mechanism may include an arm 6
that couples the upper housing 2 and the movable plate unit 5 to
the lower housing 4. The arm 6 may be formed by, for example, a
resin such as an engineered plastic, or a metal.
[0049] For example, in the open state of the electronic device 1,
in the portion for the upper and the lower housings 2 and 4 that
overlap one another, for example, a hole 31 may be formed at a
position facing a center of the portion in a vicinity of the edge
of the lower housing 4. On the other hand, for example, a central
portion of the arm 6 may have a shaft 32 attached thereto such that
the shaft 32 protrudes from the arm 6. The arm 6 may be supported
by the lower housing 4 to enable rotation centered about the shaft
32, by loosely inserting the shaft 32 of the arm 6 into the hole 31
of the lower housing 4. With this configuration, the arm 6 rotates
about the shaft 32, accompanying the sliding movement of the upper
housing 2.
[0050] For example, the upper housing 2 may have a slotted hole 33
disposed therein that is elongated in a direction perpendicular to
the direction in which the upper housing 2 slides. On the other
hand, for example, one end of the arm 6 may have a first protrusion
34 attached thereto such that the first protrusion 34 protrudes
from the arm 6. The arm 6 may be coupled to the upper housing 2 by
loosely inserting the first protrusion 34 of the arm 6 into the
slotted hole 33 of the upper housing 2. With this configuration,
the one end of the arm 6 moves in a direction perpendicular to the
direction in which the upper housing 2 slides, along the slotted
hole 33 of the upper housing 2 and accompanying the sliding
movement of the upper housing 2. The one end of the arm 6 is
positioned outside the electronic device 1 in the closed state
thereof and is positioned facing the center thereof in the open
state thereof.
[0051] For example, the movable plate unit 5 may have a slotted
hole 35 disposed therein that is elongated in the direction
perpendicular to the direction in which the movable plate unit 5
slides. On the other hand, for example, the other end of the arm 6
may have a second protrusion 36 attached thereto such that the
second protrusion 36 protrudes from the arm 6. The arm 6 may be
coupled to the movable plate unit 5 by loosely inserting the second
protrusion 36 of the arm 6 into the slotted hole 35 of the moving
plate unit 5. With this configuration, the other end of the arm 6
moves in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the
movable plate unit 5 slides, along the slotted hole 35 of the
movable plate unit 5 and accompanying the sliding movement of the
movable plate unit 5. The other end of the arm 6 is positioned
outside the electronic device 1 in the closed state thereof and is
positioned facing the center thereof in the open state thereof.
[0052] With this link mechanism, when the upper housing 2 slides,
causing the electronic device 1 to transition from the closed state
to the open state, the arm 6 rotates about the shaft 32,
accompanying the sliding movement of the upper housing 2. Thereby,
in the closed state of the electronic device 1, the arm 6 extending
in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the upper
housing 2 slides gradually inclines and the other end of the arm 6
pushes the movable plate unit 5 in the direction opposite to the
direction in which the upper housing 2 moves.
[0053] The first and the second display modules 13 and 15, and the
circuit board 16 in the lower housing 4 are electrically connected
to one another by, for example, flexible printed circuit boards 41
and 42. The flexible printed circuit board 41, which extends from
the first display module 13, extends in, for example, the direction
opposite to the direction in which the upper housing 2 moves; is
pulled out from an opening in a bottom surface of the upper housing
2; is pulled from an opening of the lower housing 4 into the lower
housing 4, avoiding the movable plate unit 5; and is connected to
the circuit board 16. The flexible printed circuit board 42, which
extends from the second display module 15, is pulled out from, for
example, an opening in the bottom face of the movable plate unit 5;
is pulled from the opening of the lower housing 4 into the lower
housing 4; and is connected to the circuit board 16.
[0054] FIG. 13 is a diagram of dimensional relations in the second
example of the electronic device according to the embodiment. In
FIG. 13, for example, the direction in which the upper housing 2
slides is represented by "Y-direction" and the direction
perpendicular thereto is represented by "X-direction".
[0055] As depicted in FIG. 13, the length from the shaft 32, which
is the center of rotation of the arm 6, to the first protrusion 34
will be denoted by "s1"; the length therefrom to the second
protrusion 36 will be denoted by "s2"; and the total of these
lengths will be denoted by "s". An angle that is formed by the arm
6 in the closed state of the electronic device 1 and the arm 6 in
the open state thereof will be denoted by ".theta.". ".theta." is
an arbitrary angle because this angle is affected by the layout and
the dimensions of the parts of the electronic device 1.
[0056] The amount of sliding by the upper housing 2 will be denoted
by "y1". The amount of sliding by the movable plate unit 5 will be
denoted by "y2". The total of these amounts of sliding will be
denoted by "y". "y1", "y2", and "y" are respectively expressed by
Equations (1), (2), and (3) below.
y1=s1sin .theta. (1)
y2=s2sin .theta. (2)
y=(s1+s2)sin .theta.=ssin .theta. (3)
[0057] In the open state of the electronic device 1, the length in
the X-direction from the shaft 32, which is the center of the
rotation of the arm 6, to the first protrusion 34 will be denoted
by "x1"; the length in the X-direction therefrom to the second
protrusion 36 will be denoted by "x2"; and the total of these
lengths will be denoted by "x". "x1", "x2", and "x" are
respectively expressed by Equations (4), (5), and (6) below.
x1=s1cos .theta. (4)
x2=s2cos .theta. (5)
x=(s1+s2)cos .theta.=scos .theta. (6)
[0058] The length in the X-direction of the slotted hole 33 of the
upper housing 2 will be denoted by "m1". The length therein of the
slotted hole 35 of the movable plate unit 5 will be denoted by
"m2". "m1" and "m2" are respectively expressed by Equations (7) and
(8) below. "m1" and "m2" may respectively be the same as "m1'" and
"m2'" or may have somewhat larger dimensions respectively than
those of "m1'" and "m2'" taking into consideration deviations
generated when the electronic device 1 is fabricated.
m1'=s1-x1=s1-s1cos .theta.=(1-cos .theta.)s1 (7)
m2'=s2-x2=s2-s2cos .theta.=(1-cos .theta.)s2 (8)
[0059] When such lengths are determined as the length s1 from the
shaft 32, which is the center of the rotation of the arm 6, to the
first protrusion 34; the length s2 therefrom to the second
protrusion 36; the length m1 or m1' of the slotted hole 33 of the
upper housing 2; and the length m2 to m2' of the slotted hole 35 of
the movable plate unit 5, the rotation angle .theta. of the arm 6
is determined in the open state of the electronic device 1. When
s1, s2, and .theta. are determined, the amount y1 of the sliding of
the upper housing 2 and the amount y2 of the sliding of the movable
plate unit 5 are determined from Equations (1) and (2). Therefore,
when the width of the frame portion of the movable plate unit 5 is
determined, for example, in the open state of the electronic device
1, the amounts of the sliding of the upper housing 2 and the
movable plate unit 5 can be set such that, as described above, the
portion on the side of the upper housing 2 of the frame portion of
the movable plate unit 5 overlaps the portion on the side of the
movable plate unit 5 of the frame portion of the upper housing
2.
[0060] FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 respectively are perspective views seen
from the rear in the closed state; an intermediate state between
the opened and the closed states; and the open state of the second
example of the electronic device according to the embodiment. In
FIGS. 14 to 16, to clearly depict the state of the sliding move of
the movable plate unit 5 and the state of the rotation of the arm
6, only an outline is depicted by lines for the lower housing 4 and
the movable plate unit 5 and the arm 6 are visible through the
lower housing 4.
[0061] As depicted in FIG. 14, in the closed state of the
electronic device 1, the movable plate unit 5 and the upper housing
2 overlap the lower housing 4 and the arm 6 extends in the
direction perpendicular to the direction in which the upper housing
2 slides. As depicted in FIG. 15, when the upper housing 2 slides
with respect to the lower housing 4, the incline of the arm 6 is
increased accompanying the increase of the move amount of the upper
housing 2, and the other end of the arm 6 moves in the direction
for the arm 6 to move away from the upper housing 2. Thereby, the
movable plate unit 5 is pushed in the direction opposite to the
direction in which the upper housing 2 moves.
[0062] As depicted in FIG. 16, in the open state of the electronic
device 1, the first protrusion 34 of the one end of the arm 6 abuts
an edge on the side of the center of the slotted hole 33 of the
upper housing 2, and the second protrusion 36 of the other end of
the arm 6 abuts an edge on the side of the center of the slotted
hole 35 of the movable plate unit 5 and thereby, the rotation of
the arm 6 is stopped. Thereby, the sliding of each of the upper
housing 2 and the movable plate unit 5 is stopped.
[0063] When the upper housing 2 slides causing the state of the
electronic device 1 to transition from the open state depicted in
FIG. 16 back to the closed state, as depicted in FIG. 15, the
incline of the arm 6 is reduced accompanying the approach of the
upper housing 2 to the closed state and the other end of the arm 6
moves in the direction for the other end to approach the upper
housing 2. Thereby, the movable plate unit 5 is pulled toward the
upper housing 2.
[0064] As depicted in FIG. 14, in the closed state of the
electronic device 1, the first protrusion 34 of the one end of the
arm 6 abuts the edge on the outer side of the slotted hole 33 of
the upper housing 2 and the second protrusion 36 of the other end
of the arm 6 abuts the edge on the outer side of the slotted hole
35 of the movable plate unit 5 and thereby, the rotation of the arm
6 is stopped. Thereby, the sliding of each of the upper housing 2
and the movable plate unit 5 is stopped.
[0065] FIGS. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 are perspective views of a
state where the second example of the electronic device according
to the embodiment is in a course of fabrication. As depicted in
FIG. 17, the arm 6 and the rail receiving units 27 and 28 are
attached to the lower housing 4. As depicted in FIG. 12, the arm 6
can be attached to the lower housing 4 by inserting the shaft 32 of
the arm 6 into the hole 31 of the lower housing 4.
[0066] The rail receiving units 27 and 28 may be attached to the
lower housing 4 by using a double-faced adhesive tape or an
adhesive, or may be clamped to the lower housing 4 with screws. For
example, as depicted in FIG. 12, a recess 51 may be formed at a
position in the lower housing 4 at which the rail receiving units
27 and 28 are attached to the lower housing 4. With such execution,
the fabrication becomes easy because the positioning can be
completed by merely dropping the rail receiving units 27 and 28
into the recess 51 of the lower housing 4.
[0067] On the other hand, as depicted in FIG. 18, the rails 25 and
26 are attached to the movable plate unit 5. The rails 25 and 26
may be attached to the movable plate unit 5 by using a double-faced
adhesive tape or an adhesive, or may be clamped to the movable
plate unit 5 with screws. Similar to the attachment of the rail
receiving units 27 and 28 to the lower housing 4, for example, a
recess may be formed at a position in the movable plate unit 5, at
which the rails 25 and 26 are attached to the movable plate unit 5.
With such execution, the fabrication becomes easy because the
positioning can be completed by merely dropping the rails 25 and 26
into the recess of the movable plate unit 5.
[0068] As depicted in FIG. 19, the movable plate unit 5 slides with
respect to the lower housing 4 as indicated by an arrow to attach
the movable plate unit 5 to the lower housing 4 such that the rails
25 and 26 of the movable plate unit 5 advance respectively in the
rail receiving units 27 and 28 of the lower housing 4. For example,
a pin 52 to be the second protrusion 36 is pushed to be inserted
from, for example, a hole disposed in the upper surface of the
movable plate unit 5 into the movable plate unit 5 for a depth
greater than the thickness of the frame portion of the movable
plate unit 5, and the upper end of the pin 52 is put into the
slotted hole 35 of the movable plate unit 5. Thereby, the movable
plate unit 5 is coupled to the arm 6.
[0069] As depicted in FIG. 20, the rail receiving units 23 and 24
are attached to the lower housing 4. The rail receiving units 23
and 24 may be attached to the lower housing 4 by using a
double-faced adhesive tape or an adhesive, or may be clamped to the
lower housing 4 with screws. For example, as depicted in FIG. 19,
recesses 53 and 54 may be formed at positions in the lower housing
4, where the rail receiving units 23 and 24 are attached to the
lower housing 4. With such execution, the fabrication becomes easy
because the positioning can be completed by merely dropping the
rail receiving units 23 and 24 into the recesses 53 and 54 of the
lower housing 4. The rail receiving units 23 and 24 may be attached
to the lower housing 4 before the movable plate unit 5 is attached
to the lower housing 4.
[0070] On the other hand, as depicted in FIG. 21, the rails 21 and
22 are attached to the upper housing 2. The rails 21 and 22 may be
attached to the upper housing 2 by using a double-faced adhesive
tape or an adhesive, or may be clamped to the upper housing 2 with
screws. Similar to the attachment of the rail receiving units 23
and 24 to the lower housing 4, for example, a recess may be formed
at a position of the upper housing 2 at which the rails 21 and 22
are attached to the upper housing 2. Executing accordingly, the
fabrication becomes easy because the positioning can be completed
by merely dropping the rails 21 and 22 into the recess of the upper
housing 2.
[0071] As depicted in FIG. 22, the upper housing 2 slides with
respect to the lower housing 4 as indicated by an arrow to attach
the upper housing 2 to the lower housing 4 such that the rails 21
and 22 of the upper housing 2 advance respectively in the rail
receiving units 23 and 24 of the lower housing 4. When the movable
plate unit 5 slides to a position for the open state of the
electronic device 1, for example, a pin to be the first protrusion
34 is inserted from the lower side of the arm 6; and the upper end
of the pin is put into the slotted hole 33 of the upper housing 2.
Thereby, the upper housing 2 is coupled to the arm 6. Thus, the
fabrication of the electronic device 1 is completed.
[0072] According to the electronic device 1 depicted in FIGS. 7 to
13, when the electronic device 1 is opened, the movable plate unit
5 moves in the direction opposite to the direction in which the
upper housing 2 moves and the exposed area is increased of the
upper surface of the movable plate unit 5 in the open state.
Thereby, the exposed area can be increased of the upper surface of
the lower housing 4 in the open state of the electronic device 1.
The increase of the exposed area of the upper surface of the
movable plate unit 5 in the open state enables the disposal of
display modules having the display surfaces of the same size, onto
the movable plate unit 5 and the upper housing 2.
[0073] According to the electronic device, an effect is achieved
that the sliding movement of the movable plate unit enables
expansion of the exposed area of the upper surface of the lower
housing in the open state.
[0074] All examples and conditional language provided herein are
intended for pedagogical purposes of aiding the reader in
understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the
inventor to further the art, and are not to be construed as
limitations to such specifically recited examples and conditions,
nor does the organization of such examples in the specification
relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the
invention. Although one or more embodiments of the present
invention have been described in detail, it should be understood
that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be
made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *